In the demise of Little Nell, The Old Curiosity Shop contains perhaps
the most famous deathbed scene in English literature. A sentimental
extravaganza, it has aroused critical scorn and the common reader's
lachrymose appreciation for well over a century. The dishonesty and
ineptitude of this wretched musical adaptation of Charles Dickens'
novel can be measured by the fact that most of the children at a recent
screening did not realize Nell had died. So hastily did writer,
director and actor rush past this inconvenience that the kids believed
she was literally...